He raised his head, looked at Zhou Hong, who was also standing there holding his breath and waiting, and Zhou Zheng, who was guarding him, and took a deep breath.
Then, in a calm voice, he asked, "Your Majesty... passing away is truly a national tragedy. Minister Pei and Minister Fan have been working tirelessly on state affairs, and Minister Zhou even came personally to deliver the news."
He paused, his tone shifting to concern and determination: "Minister Zhou, how is the situation in the capital? Is it still stable? Is Master... aware of this matter?"
He had to ask Zhao Muyun.
This is the most crucial issue.
Pei Lun and Fan Nan invited him to return as "regent," which sounded wonderful, but he knew better than anyone that without Zhao Muyun's nod and support, the title of "regent" was as insignificant as a feather.
Zhao Muyun's attitude determined everything.
Zhou Hong quickly bowed and replied, "Your Highness, the two officials have temporarily stabilized the court, and the palace... has also been pacified."
"The message is being disseminated throughout the land according to procedure. As for the Grand Commander's office... an urgent dispatch has been sent out simultaneously, and they should have received the message by now."
Yinji nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.
It's good that Master knows.
Given Master's decisiveness and control, he must be weighing the pros and cons and calculating the gains and losses at this moment.
What he needed to do was immediately and without hesitation respond to Pei Lun and the others' request, return to Xijing, and take that position.
At the same time, one must also demonstrate absolute reliance on and respect for one's master.
"Zhou Zheng, prepare the horses and muster my personal guards." Yin Ji no longer hesitated and ordered in a deep voice, "Summon Governor Lin to my residence. I will personally entrust him with the defense of Longmen Pass. Afterwards, return to the capital immediately!"
"Yes!" Zhou Hong answered resolutely, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
He understood that His Highness's status would be completely different once he returned.
Yinji took one last look at Li Hu's sprawling camps outside the pass, and the flame of ambition deep in his eyes burned fiercely under the cover of "national mourning."
His steps as he turned and left were firm and swift.
......
Almost at the same time that Yinji received the news, a carrier pigeon with a special colored tail feather crossed the wind and snow from Xijing and landed on the windowsill of Zhao Muyun's temporary residence in Shuozhou City.
Li Si, a bodyguard, took the secret letter and quickly presented it to Zhao Muyun, who had just finished discussing matters with Han Zhong.
Zhao Muyun unfolded the text message written in secret by Wang Tiezhu and quickly deciphered it.
The letter was much more detailed and straightforward than the one given to Yinji: "...At three quarters past Hai hour, Cao Chunfeng and other rebellious eunuchs, in desperation, brazenly murdered the emperor in the Ganlu Hall, attempting to seize the emperor and throw the capital into chaos."
"The Night Watchmen led the Imperial Guards in a desperate attempt to protect His Majesty, killing Cao Chunfeng and thirty-seven of his henchmen. However, His Majesty... has already been poisoned, his health is damaged, and there is no hope of recovery..."
Upon seeing the words "Cao Chunfeng murdered the emperor," Zhao Muyun's eyebrows shot up sharply, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably, almost causing him to burst out laughing on the spot.
He quickly picked up the water glass next to him and pretended to drink it to cover it up.
Did Cao Chunfeng murder the emperor?
Zhu Zi, Zhu Zi, your excuse is really simple and crude, directly targeting the "eunuch party's scourge on the country," a target that has easily aroused public indignation throughout history.
However... it works well.
A greedy and foolish eunuch, when his conspiracy is exposed, takes a desperate gamble and murders the cowardly and incompetent puppet emperor. What a "reasonable" and "classic" plot!
As for the truth... who cares?
The result is what matters.
The result was that Yin Zhao, who held the title but always wanted to cause trouble, completely disappeared.
Moreover, he disappeared in a tragic way, being harmed by treacherous officials. This not only did not damage the image of his own loyal ministers, but also allowed him to eradicate some potential hostile forces in the palace and even the court under the pretext of purging Cao Chunfeng's faction.
Perfect!
Zhao Muyun put down her water glass, her expression returning to calm, with only a hint of relief and satisfaction at having everything under control flashing deep in her eyes.
The fact that Yin Zhao's "legacy issue" was resolved in such an unexpected yet perfectly timed way saved him a lot of trouble.
Now, the last nominal obstacle standing in the way of Yinji—that is, in the way of Zhao Muyun's path to the highest position of power—has been cleared.
Of course, trouble followed.
The emperor's sudden death, especially his violent one, was bound to cause shock and discussion throughout the country.
Those civil officials, local forces, and even some military generals who were loyal to the legitimate succession of the imperial family would have different ideas.
External enemies like Li Jingang and Yang Yan, and even the Tartars of the Northern Barbarians, would seize upon this point to spread rumors and accuse him of "murdering his lord" and "usurping the throne."
But Zhao Muyun wasn't too worried.
In chaotic times, strength is the only thing that matters.
He has the strongest army, controls the most core territory and resources, and the central government of Xijing is also under the control of Pei Lun, Fan Nan, Zhao Wen, and Huang Chang, whom he trusts.
Public opinion can be guided, dissent can be suppressed, but the enemy... in the end, we have to use force to decide the outcome.
The most crucial step now is to seize the opportunity and push Yinji to the top.
The legitimate "nephew of the emperor," the direct grandson of Emperor Yongchang (Yin Zhao's father and also Yin Ji's grandfather), is the closest in blood and has the merit of "suppressing rebellion and protecting the country." In the absence of a worthy ruler, his ascension to the throne is the most appropriate legal choice.
But... how will that kid Yinji react when he receives the news?
Excitement? Fear? Or... have other thoughts already arisen?
A playful smile appeared on Zhao Muyun's lips.
Back when he was the Commandant of Yinzhou, he and Pei Lun were smuggled fine salt, which attracted the attention of the court, and Yinji was sent to investigate them thoroughly.
However, Zhao Muyun saw him as a rare commodity and not only impressed him but also took him as his apprentice and even married his sister, making them family.
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